GC Opens New NatureWorks Plant Producing Full-Cycle PLA in Asia
GC has opened a second NatureWorks plant at Nakhon Sawan Bio Complex to produce 75,000 tons of PLA bioplastic annually from Thai sugarcane, positioning Thailand as a regional bioplastic manufacturing hub.
GC opens new NatureWorks plant producing full-cycle PLA bioplastic in Asia, advancing Thailand toward becoming a bioplastic manufacturing base and providing fossil-fuel-free plastic alternatives.
Saroj Puddhathammawong, Chief Operating Officer of PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (GC), a chemical products leader, announced the company's expansion into low-carbon business under a strategy balancing business growth with sustainability. This is achieved through investment in NatureWorks, the world's largest polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic producer. The second plant has officially opened at the Nakhon Sawan Bio Complex in Nakhon Sawan Province, marking a major step for Thailand's bioplastic industry and aligning with global sustainability trends.
The new facility opening reflects the company's vision for sustainable growth through developing products that meet innovation, performance, and environmental impact reduction standards. NatureWorks, a joint venture between PTT Global Chemical and Cargill, serves as a key mechanism driving the bioplastic industry while responding to market demand for alternative materials and enhancing supply chain flexibility, particularly as the world prioritizes managing raw material diversity risks amid geopolitical volatility.
This is NatureWorks' second PLA bioplastic facility under the Ingeo brand, utilizing world-class bioplastic technology and 100% Thai sugarcane as feedstock to produce environmentally friendly PLA bioplastic with a production capacity of 75,000 tons annually. This demonstrates Thailand's potential to develop a complete value chain industry from upstream to downstream, adding value to the agricultural sector and connecting to other industries.
Ingeo PLA biodegrades under appropriate conditions, has a low carbon footprint, and reduces environmental impact. Applications include tea bags, coffee capsules, food packaging, household items such as electrical appliance components, office equipment, phone cases, cosmetic cases, diapers, cleaning cloths, face masks, and 3D printing filaments.
Ingeo PLA holds international certifications across multiple dimensions, including USDA BioPreferred for biopreferred raw materials and circular carbon, and ISCC PLUS for sustainable raw materials.
"This plant represents another significant step for NatureWorks, reflecting the global growth trajectory of low-carbon materials amid high-volatility conditions. Biomaterials are playing an increasingly important role in providing industrial flexibility. We are confident NatureWorks will be a powerful force driving our Sustainable Portfolio strategy and elevating Thailand's bioplastic industry to the regional Asian level," said an NatureWorks representative.
Thattaphol Rangsitphol, Permanent Secretary of the Industry Ministry, noted that this bioplastic facility represents a meaningful investment for Thailand, as it leverages and adds value to the country's agricultural raw materials, particularly the sugarcane and sugar industries, enhancing competitiveness and resilience.
